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Executive
Construction dust
Construction dust
Figure 1 Common tasks like cutting can create very high
This is a general term used to describe different dusts dust levels
that you may find on a construction site. There are
three main types: However, most of these diseases take a long time
to develop. Dust can build up in the lungs and harm
silica dust created when working on silica- them gradually over time. The effects are often not
containing materials like concrete, mortar and immediately obvious. Unfortunately, by the time it is
sandstone (also known as respirable crystalline noticed the total damage done may already be serious
silica or RCS); and life changing. It may mean permanent disability
wood dust created when working on softwood, and early death.
hardwood and wood-based products like MDF and
plywood; Construction workers have a high risk of developing
lower toxicity dusts created when working on these diseases because many common construction
materials containing very little or no silica. The most tasks can create high dust levels. Over 500
common include gypsum (eg in plasterboard), construction workers are believed to die from
limestone, marble and dolomite. exposure to silica dust every year. The amounts
needed to cause this damage are not large. The
largest amount of silica someone should be breathing
Health risks in a day after using the right controls is shown
below next to the penny.
Anyone who breathes in these dusts should know
the damage they can do to the lungs and airways.
The main dust-related diseases affecting construction
workers are:
lung cancer;
silicosis;
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
asthma.
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The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Even if you stop some dust this way, you may do
Regulations 2002 (COSHH) cover activities which may other work that could still produce high dust levels.
expose workers to construction dust. In these cases the most important action is to stop the
dust getting into the air. There are two main ways of
There are three key things you need to do: doing this:
Assess (the risks) Water water damps down dust clouds. However,
Control (the risks) it needs to be used correctly. This means enough
Review (the controls) water supplied at the right levels for the whole
time that the work is being done. Just wetting the
material beforehand does not work.
Assess (the risks)
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Water or on-tool extraction may not always be You may already have the right controls in place, but
appropriate or they might not reduce exposure are they all working properly? Check the controls
enough. Often respiratory protection (RPE) has to be work by:
provided as well. You will need to make sure that the
RPE is: having procedures to ensure that work is done in
the right way;
adequate for the amount and type of dust RPE checking controls are effective. Does the work still
has an assigned protection factor (APF) which seem dusty? You might need to carry out dust
shows how much protection it gives the wearer. exposure monitoring;
The general level for construction dust is an APF involving workers. They can help identify problems
of 20. This means the wearer only breathes one and find solutions;
twentieth of the amount of dust in the air; maintaining equipment:
suitable for the work disposable masks or half follow instructions in maintenance manuals;
masks can become uncomfortable to wear for regularly look for signs of damage. Make repairs;
long periods. Powered RPE helps minimise this. replace disposable masks in line with
Consider it when people are working for more than manufacturers recommendations;
an hour without a break; properly clean, store, and maintain non-
compatible with other items of protective disposable RPE. Change RPE filters as
equipment; recommended by the supplier;
fits the user. Face fit testing is needed for tight- carry out a thorough examination and test of
fitting masks; any on-tool extraction system at least every 14
worn correctly. Anyone using tight-fitting masks months.
also needs to be clean shaven. supervising workers. Make sure they:
use the controls provided;
Remember: RPE is the last line of protection. If you follow the correct work method;
are just relying on RPE you need to be able to justify attend any health surveillance where it is needed.
your reasons for this.
You may have to put a health surveillance programme
Other controls in place. You may need advice for this from an
occupational health professional.
Depending upon the work you are doing you may
have to combine these measures with other controls.
Think about:
You also need to make sure workers are doing the job
in the right way and are using controls properly. Train
workers:
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Task Eliminate or limit the dust by: Control the dust by using:
Cutting concrete kerbs, Limiting the number of cuts during Water suppression and
blocks and paving with design/layout RPE* with an APF of 20
a cut-off saw Using lower energy equipment like block
splitters
Getting material cut off site and delivered
Chasing concrete and Limiting the need for chasing at the On-tool extraction using an H or M Class
raking mortar design/layout stage extraction unit and
Using a work method that limits/does not RPE* with an APF of 20 consider powered
need chasing, like over-covering cables RPE for longer duration work
Cutting roofing tiles with Hand cutting natural/fibre cement slates Water suppression and
a cut-off saw and other tiles where possible A dedicated cutting area with scaffold board
Using and 1 tiles protection and
Correct setting out/design RPE* with an APF of 20
Minimising valleys/using dry valleys
Scabbling or grinding Specifying architectural finishes that do Where possible use on-tool extraction using
with hand-held tools not need scabbling an H or M Class extraction unit and
Using (ultra) high-pressure water jetting RPE* with an APF of 20
Using chemical retarders and pressure
washing
Casting in proprietary joint formers, eg
mesh formwork
Short-duration drilling Limiting the number of holes during Where possible use equipment that stops
totalling 1530 minutes design/planning dust getting into the air. The larger the holes
with hand-held rotary Using direct fastening or screws the better this needs to be. Options range
power tools from:
drilling through a dust collector or using
cordless extraction attached to the drill
(for smaller drill bits) or
on-tool extraction using an H or M Class
extraction unit
Otherwise use RPE* with an APF of 20
Drilling holes with hand- Limiting the number of holes during Where possible on-tool extraction using an
held rotary power tools design/planning H or M Class extraction unit and
as a main activity Using direct fastening or screws RPE* with an APF of 20
Dry coring Limiting the number of holes during On-tool extraction using an H or M Class
design/planning extraction unit
Longer duration work (ie over 1530
minutes accumulated time over the day) will
also need RPE.* Use an APF of 20
Wet coring Limiting the number of holes during Water suppression
design/planning Long periods of wet coring in enclosed
spaces will also need RPE.* Use an APF of
20
Using a hand-held Limiting the amount of breaking during On-tool extraction using an H or M Class
breaker in enclosed design/planning stage extraction unit and
spaces with limited Bursting, crushing, cutting, sawing or RPE* with an APF of 20
ventilation other techniques
Remote controlled demolition
Hydrodemolition
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Task Eliminate or limit the dust by: Control the dust by using:
Abrasive pressure Using a different method of work like Wet or vacuum blasting and
blasting (ultra) high-pressure water jetting RPE* will depend on silica content of
Using silica free abrasive material building materials, blasting equipment and
length of work:
In most instances use RPE with an APF
of 40
Use RPE with an APF of 20 for lower risk
work (including the potman nearby)
Shrouds or screens to contain the flying
abrasive
Certain restricted/enclosed working
places may also need general mechanical
ventilation
Soft strip demolition Carefully planning the work Use water suppression or on-tool extraction
Limiting the number of people that need for those tasks where it is possible and
to be in the work area RPE* with an APF of 20 consider powered
Screening off areas to prevent dust RPE for longer duration work
spreading Enclosed spaces may also need general
mechanical ventilation to remove dusty air
Removing small rubble, Limiting waste materials during design/ Damping down and using a brush, shovel
dust and debris planning and bucket for minor/small one-off
Considering where waste material is amounts
created and how frequently it needs Or for regular removal/site cleaning:
removing Water spray for damping down
Using the correct dust controls when Rake, shovel and bucket/wheelbarrow to
making rubble/debris remove larger pieces
Covered chutes and skips where needed
Vacuum attachments fitted to an H or M
Class extraction unit
RPE* with an APF of 20 depending upon
location, duration and type of work
Cutting wood with Using a less toxic wood1 On-tool extraction using an H or M Class
power tools Ordering pre-cut materials extraction unit
Using dedicated cutting areas to Longer duration work (ie over 1530
minimise spread minutes accumulated time over the day) will
also need RPE suitable for the wood dust
particularly in enclosed spaces
Sanding wood with Using a less toxic wood1 On-tool extraction using an H or M Class
power tools Using pre-finished materials extraction unit and
RPE suitable for the wood dust in most
situations
Sanding plasterboard Using other finishes/systems On-tool extraction using an H, M, or L Class
jointing extraction unit
APF Common RPE types for construction dust RPE for wood dust
10 FFP2 disposable mask or half mask with The risk from wood dust is specific to different types
P2 filter (species) of wood.1 Knowing the species is important
20 FFP3 disposable mask or half mask with in establishing the right RPE to use. In general RPE
P3 filter with an APF of 20 is appropriate; particularly for higher
Or for longer duration work: residual dust levels, such as when sanding, and for
Powered RPE such as a TH2 powered all work with more toxic woods such as hardwoods,
hood/helmet western red cedar and MDF. RPE with an APF of 10 is
40 Abrasive blasting helmet with constant flow suitable for work with less residual dust and when the
airline wood is lower risk (eg pine).
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References
Further information